Hooten, 43, grew up in Sheridan and began taking piano lessons at the age of 5, which he continued to take through college.

He learned to play the guitar and then he played the trumpet in band for two years before switching to the euphonium in the eighth grade.

It was at Arkansas Tech University where Hooten was introduced to jazz, music he considers to be the ultimate in musical improvisation because there is no arranged music and the sound adapts to the mood of the person playing it.

Hooten met his wife Missy Taylor Hooten while at Tech and the two married in 1991. Before marriage, Hooten said he contemplated joining a military band on the East Coast.

“I was preparing to play in a professional band, but those types of bands travel 300 days out of the year,” Hooten said. “I met my wife in college and my plans changed. I wouldn’t trade my life for anything else. I love what I do and where I live.”

After graduating from Tech with a double major in voice and instrumental studies, Hooten attended the University of Missouri — Kansas City Conservatory of Music and graduated with a master’s degree in music education and conducting.

Hooten taught at Magnet Cove from 1994 and 1999, growing the band from 29 members to 103 in five years.

Hooten came to Dardanelle in 1999 and has seen that music program grow from 48 to 118 band members.

He said while he is passionate about music, it’s really working with kids that is ultimately his passion.

“Kids are my passion,” Hooten said of directing the school’s band program. “I use music to go about changing the lives of kids and I’m able to reach more kids through music.”

Hooten said it was his own band director at Sheridan, Julia Reynolds, who influenced his vocation choice.

Hooten said he witnessed firsthand how a band director’s passion could influence students.

“I knew at an early age what I wanted to do,” Hooten said. “Julia Reynolds was very passionate about directing band. It was in eighth grade when I knew that’s what I wanted to do. And I still really love my job and working with kids. I get to come to work everyday and have fun making music with kids.”

Hooten said that the students know that he is all about business during rehearsal and that a strong work ethic is expected from band members. During practice, whether it’s inside or marching on the field, band members know that it’s business first and then play time is afterward.

“Some people might not realize it, but I’m all business or serious when it’s time for work,” Hooten said of his work ethic. “Then once we’ve finished, I don’t have a serious bone in my body. The students know that after practice or school they can come to the band room and just hang out.”

As for retirement, Hooten said every year he gets asked when he might retire and he said he always gives the same answer.

“I’ll know it’s time to retire when I come to work and it’s not fun anymore,” Hooten said. “The students deserve my best every day and when I don’t like it anymore, that’s when it will be time to retire. Until then, I’ll keep making music with the best musicians around.”

Fast Facts

• Clay Hooten was born on Oct. 27, 1968 in Los Angles, Calif.

• He played in a rock band in high school and listened to classic rock. AC/DC was a musical influence.

• He plays piano, guitar, trumpet, trombone and euphonium.

• Favorite jazz musicians are Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

• Hobbies include playing and listening to jazz, building custom bikes and riding his motorcycle.